Viet Nam-Malaysia Joint Commission on bilateral cooperation convenes sixth meeting

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah co-chaired the sixth meeting of the Viet Nam-Malaysia Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation on November 15.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Both sides reviewed the implementation of the action programme for the 2017-2019 period in all areas, and discussed orientations and focus of cooperation to lift the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Malaysia in a more practical manner.

They agreed to adopt the action programme for the 2021-2025 strategic partnership with major orientations to effectively tap each country's potentials and strengths, towards achieving sustainable and resilient development post-COVID-19 pandemic with 18 billion USD in two-way trade by 2025. They also agreed to recognise each other's "vaccine passports" soon.

Son suggested Malaysia create favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to export farm produce to the country, help Viet Nam develop the Halal food industry, receive more Vietnamese workers and simplify relevant procedures when conditions allow.

The Malaysian FM, for his part, said that Malaysia wishes to effectively boost ties with Viet Nam – the only strategic partner of Malaysia in ASEAN. He agreed with Viet Nam's proposals and proposed the two nations' ministries and agencies soon discuss celebrations for the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (2023).

He suggested Viet Nam import more palm oil from Malaysia and offer support to Malaysia to open international education establishments in the country.

The two sides consented to offer mutual support and work closely together at regional and global forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms. They vowed to tap opportunities and benefits from new-generation free trade deals such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

They underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, settling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They also expressed support for serious and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and negotiations towards reaching an effective, efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Concluding the event, the two ministers signed the meeting's minutes and agreed to hold the seventh meeting in Viet Nam at a convenient time for both sides.